Posts Tagged ‘Autism’

Many parents ofteenagers with autism worry that their teen will not “fit in”. Typically a teen with autism will find difficulties mastering hygiene skills and routines, especially surrounding puberty, such as autistic girls and menstruation.

Hygiene skills are essential life skills but for a teen with autism developing healthy hygiene habits can be challenging, therefore direct teaching of healthy hygiene habits in autism is essential.

For many parents of teenagers with autism puberty can be very stressful, parents look for ways to explain puberty and teach healthy hygiene habits and routines in autism. Parents consequently find autistic supports such as autistic social skills stories, perfect for helping them deal with this challenging period in their child’s life.

Autistic Social skills stories were first developed as a means of communication, today autistic social skills stories are used more widely to teach social, imagination and communication skills and behaviours as well as a means of communication.

Using appropriate language and visual images, social stories are used as autistic supports for individuals with an ASD and related conditions. The autistic social skills story provides the adolescent on the spectrum with a role model of exactly how to master the situation or skill.

The autistic social skills story answers the “wh” questions ~ who, where, why, what and when as well as giving an insight into the thoughts, emotions and feelings of others.Concentrating on the main key points and cutting out all the frills the adolescent on the autistic spectrum will be able to see more clearly what is expected of them as well as what to expect from others, helping to relieve anxieties and make the teen with autism more comfortable with and in the situation.

Consequently many parents now use autistic social skills stories to tackle healthy hygiene routines in teenagers with autism.

Parents of teens with autism implement autistic social skills stories to help with autistic hygiene issues such as:

● autism and going to the bathroom

● puberty and autistic girls

● autistic teenage hygiene ~ using deodorant

● autistic girls and menstruation

● taking a shower

● taking a bath

As well as a means to tackle healthy hygiene routines in teenagers with autism, autistic social stories also help toteach other skills and behaviours and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Autism spectrum disorder is a pervasive developmental disorder affecting the brain of the individual on the autistic spectrum. All those on the autism spectrum disorder scale will have deficits in social behaviors.

Children on the autistic spectrum generally lack the ability to understand and read body language and facial expressions. They also lack the ability to “mind read”, predict what others are thinking or feeling. This lack of understanding others expressions and mannerisms most normally developing children can read can lead to social mistakes.

Generally children on the autistic spectrum are not interested in the world and people around them. By their first birthday, a normally developing youngster is already trying to imitate words, copy gestures and is already using simple gestures such as waving bye bye, will be grasping fingers, and will be able to smile at people.

A normally developing child will people watch and generally learn social behaviors from their parents, peers and their surrounding environment. This ability to learn social behaviors is missing in children with autism. A child on the autistic spectrum will need to be taught appropriate social behaviors directly.

This can be done in various ways, one such appropriate method being, downloadable & printable Autism social skills stories for behaviors.

Autistic social skills stories are specially written for individuals with autism, in the first person with images and pictures appropriate to the skill being taught or re-enforced.

Downloadable & printable Autism social skills stories for behaviors once implemented can give your child on the autistic spectrum clear social cues and directions for those social behaviors they are struggling to understand or cope with.

Children with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions are generally visual thinkers and learners.

Meaning they can understand and relate to information easier when it is presented visually, rather than auditory or written.

ASD visual reinforcements & Autism Social Skills Stories are designed in this manner to help children with autism spectrum disorder to communicate and learn social skills and behaviours.

ASD visual reinforcements & Autism Social Skills Stories can be used by teachers to help them give information and instruction for example the Autism Social Skills Story can be used as a visual plan/breakdown of a skill or behaviour the child on the spectrum finds confusing or difficult such as making friends, going to the dentist, trying new foods and so on…

The teacher can use the Autism Social Story in the same way as parents to teach and to re-enforce already learnt behaviours, even to help with transitions or un-expected surprizes such as parties or visitors. ASD visual reinforcements & Autism Social Stories help answer the “wh” questions – who, what, why. When and where as well as how

Presenting information in a visual manner helps the child on the spectrum to understand and process information visually making the info much easier to recognise, remember and use.

ASD visual reinforcements & Autism Social Skills Stories help the child on the spectrum interpret, understand and act appropriately.

ASD visual reinforcements & Autism Social Stories can be used to help with communication issues with both verbal and non-verbal children with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

To view and learn more about ASD visual reinforcements & Autism Social Stories and how they can help your child on the spectrum communicate and understand information, directions, skills and behaviours visit http://www.autismsocialstories.com

ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a pervasive developmental disorder that affects four times more males than females. Some research suggests autism is caused by genetic factors that interfere with normal brain development, or environmental factors, such as the effects of pollution or the damage caused by viruses. However how autism is caused is still under research. Autism Spectrum Disorder is normally detected in children before the age of three and is a life long condition.

No two people are ever the same and this runs true with Autism Spectrum Disorder which affects individuals in various ways. The traits of autism are called the triad of autistic impairments. Every child with ASD will have to varying degree’s the triad of autistic impairments.

The triad of autistic impairments means difficulties with three factors – social communication, social interaction and imagination skills and behaviours. Probably the most obvious of the traits of autism is the person’s ability to communicate both verbally and non-verbally.

So when considering autism brain development how it affects learning it’s good to remember all kids with autism will have marked difficulties with communication both verbal and non-verbal skills.

A child with ASD will have difficulties understanding things that we probably take for granted like jokes, metaphors wit and slang, this form of communication may be incomprehensible to a child with ASD.

It is therefore understood and recommended that using visual cues such as autism social stories can help overcome this hurdle. You should also try to adapt how you speak, speak less and be more direct, don’t use metaphors or slang and say exactly what you mean.

With autism brain development how it affects learning is made easier using visual cues. An individual with autistic spectrum is far more likely to respond to visual cues like autism social stories rather than written or spoken information or instruction.

One of the main concerns for many parents with a child on the spectrum is how their child will learn play autism spectrum disorder affects a person’s ability to use their imagination. This makes play difficult for a child on the spectrum and in a lot of instances a child with ASD will simply prefer to line up their toys or arrange them in certain ways rather than play with them.

Many kids with autism also develop ritualistic behaviours and become obsessive about certain things or objects this can take different forms from obsession with a TV character to train timetables.

Generally autism social skills stories help the child with ASD understand play skills effectively, as well as how to make and maintain friendships.

Autism social skills stories are a short descriptive visual role model of an activity, situation or skill that kids with autism struggle to understand or simply can’t cope with.

An autism social skills story will also help an individual with autistic spectrum to cope with transition, and other skills such as hygiene, sharing, taking turns calming down and so on.

An autism social skills story can be edited and personalized to suit individual children’s specific needs. Most autism social stories are visual with images and first person text.

To finds out more about autism social skills storiesand how they are able to help children with ASD, plus get more info onautism brain development how it affects learning visit:

A major issue for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder is the concern that a lack of appropriate social and communication skills both verbal and non-verbal in their autism child will greatly hinder their development and ability to function in a “normal society”

Generally speech is quite often delayed in the autism child but will develop, with the percentage of autism children completely non-verbal being only 9%.

Social skills impairments in social and communication skills are common to all autism children. However there are autism social skills treatments that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder report provide a substantial improvement in their child’s social and communication skills development, which can help the child on the autistic spectrum develop and fit in with society with less of a struggle.

Probably one of the major autism social skills treatments is autistic social skills stories. These were first introduced almost twenty years ago to help facilitate social and communication issues reducing stress and anxieties in the child on the autistic spectrum or adult.

Significant numbers of parents of autistic children, care givers and teachers report that the use of autistic social skills storiesto teach social and communication skills greatly improves positive behaviors and helps the child on the autistic spectrum reach his/her full potential socially.

Autistic social skills stories are now probably one of the major coping techniques for autistic behaviors used by parents ofchildren with autism spectrum disorderto help re-enforce skills and behaviors to the child with autism from everyday skills such as asking questions, listening and being a good sport to more complex skills and behaviors like, calming down, appropriate touching and lying.

Autistic social skills stories are believed to improve social and communication skills in the child with autism plus personal and social development as well as reducing undesirable behaviors.

Typically kids with autism HAVE deficits in three main areas of development: social, communication (both verbal and non-verbal) and imagination skills and behaviours.

It is because of these deficits many kids with autism HAVE difficulties understanding and accepting the “hidden social rules of everyday life”.

For example a child on the spectrum WILL commonly miss social cues and be unable to interpret body language or facial expression – so it is of no use “tutting” or giving “knowing nod” these hidden social cues WILL usually be missed!

However there are treatments for autism which foster social skills in kids with autism such as social skills stories and picture communication cards.

These treatments for autism ARE normally USED to help the child on the spectrum feel more comfortable with and in situations that they normally struggle with like for example asking questions, sharing, making friends and so on…

Social skills stories ARE short descriptive pieces of text written in a set format which is typically first person text and from the autistic child’s own point of view.

Characteristically children with autism ARE visual thinkers and learners, which means that they find visual information easier to understand and follow, therefore it is believed and proven through research that children with autism respond better to visual teaching.

Consequently, social skills stories and picture communication cards DO FOLLOW this belief and ARE typically visual.

The social skills story USES images and pictures with short pieces of text to visually show the child on the spectrum what is happening and why.

The social skills story does this by answering the “wh” questions – who, what, where, when and why as well as “HOW” and will offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most children with autism.

The social skills story can be adapted to suit individual needs and abilities and are generally written in word format with NO FORMAL training needed to use social skills stories.

Teachers and parents can foster social skills in kids with autism using social stories and picture communication cards. To gain immediate download and learn more about how these treatments for autism work visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

As typically developing beings we naturally learn social, communication and imagination skills and behaviours. This ability is missing in autism spectrum disorder and often referred to as the theory of mind or social skills deficits.

Probably the major factor for many parents raising an autistic child is their childâ€™s social skills deficits. This is also true in the classroom with many teachers being insufficiently trained in teaching students with autism.

Teaching social and communication skills can often become a primary concern for many teachers and parents.

Success in addressing social skills deficits by teaching social, communication and imagination skills and behaviours can increase self-confidence and lead to positive results at home and in the classroom for students with autism.

Using social stories for autism is a VERY BENEFICIAL strategy which is used by the vast majority of parents raising an autistic child, care givers and teachers.

The most important aspect of a social skills story is that it provides the child on the autism spectrum with a role model.

The vast majority of children with autism spectrum ARE visual thinkers and learners, which means they think in pictures, therefore strategies which suit children with autism spectrum best ARE visual like social stories.

Social stories can be used for more than learning social, imagination and communication skills, they can be used FOR TRANSITIONS, new routines, changes in routines, activities, and how to respond appropriately to feelings like anger.

Using social stories for autism will help the child on the spectrum to better understand the thoughts, feelings and views of other people.

By implementing social stories for autism the child on the spectrum is more able to predict another person’s behaviour based on their actions.

Social stories present various situations and skills in a structured and clear manner in a way children with autism spectrum will find easier to understand. The social skills story should be written from the child’s perspective and follow a set formula of four sentence type: descriptive, perspective, direction and control.

Using social stories for autism will answer the important “wh” questions – who, where, why, when and what, helping reduce confusion and anxieties, making unpredictable situations more routine.

By using visual images and first person text the social skills story is much like a comic strip conversation, which children with autism spectrum find easy to use.

Editable, and printable the social skills story will suit all ages and abilities, parents can personalize the social skills story using their child’s name and language that is familiar to them. No two children with autism are ever the same and normally some tweaking of social stories is needed.

It is believed that every 1 in 166 grandparents will become the grandparent to an autistic child.

The diagnosis of autism can be stressful enough for any family and can sometimes lead to conflict between parents and grandparents.

Grandparenting an autistic child is stressful and confusing; both mentally, physically and on occasions financially.

There are many things grandparents can do to help their autistic grandchild overcome their challenges and get the most of life. From learning all you can about autism spectrum disorder and what the diagnosis of autism will mean to the entire family to helping support your autistic grandchild lean social skills.

Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition and is not curable; autism spectrum disorder affects more males then females.

Often the diagnosis of autism can have a huge impact on the entire family and cause marital issues between the autistic child’s parents. This is where a grandparent can be of support and help, easing tensions and generally helping out around the home and with the families other children can help.

There will be tough times ahead and being prepared by reading books, magazines, reports and articles on autism can provide answers questions that you may be struggling to comprehend.

The causes of autism are not yet known with certainty. Recent research suggests a link between genetic susceptibility and environmental agents. Indeed, there is evidence that no one factor causes autism and that perhaps there exists a synergy among several agents. This view is based upon the range of symptoms of autism and severity among those who are diagnosed as autistic.

There has been an apparent rise in the occurrence of autism since about 1980, but the root causes of autism have not been found. There is speculation that better diagnostic techniques have uncovered symptoms of autism and cases that would otherwise have gone unrecognized.

Research indicates tentatively that 90% of the autism cases have a genetic link. A specific gene of interest is the Engrailed 2 (EN2) gene, which may account for 40% of autism cases. It is significant in normal neural development. If the gene’s expression is disrupted in some way, it is believed that EN2 could impact significantly on normal brain development. However, autism may be causes by the interaction and malfunction of more than one gene. The research is on-going.

Additionally, in a study conducted in 2007, three common factors were found to be of interest in some cases of autism: older maternal age, older paternal age, and birthplace of the mother outside Europe or North America. The higher parental age may suggest an issue with genetic material integrity.

Alternatively, some rare cases of autism appear to be related to environmental factors. In the past several years, there has been a great deal of controversy over the incidence of autism with relation to childhood immunizations. To-date, there is no strong statistical correlation to support this proposal.

The prenatal environment has come into focus as a possible origin, especially events taking place within the first eight weeks of gestation of the fetus. Although most infectious diseases appear not to be significant contributors to the causes of autism, the rubella virus may be a suspect. Exposure to pesticides may have some effect, but the research is inconclusive.

Maternal folic acid levels may have some bearing, as folic acid is directly involved in neural tube development in the fetus and has a direct effect on gene expression. Perhaps the most promising research finding recently has been the association of maternal infection early in pregnancy with the child’s later autism.

The cause of autism is most likely over determined, meaning that more than one factor is involved. Given the range of symptoms of autism and severity of autism, this could well be so.

Autism is a developmental disorder affecting the autistic person’s brain.

The symptoms of autism are:

Deficits in communication

Social deficits

Imagination and interaction deficits

Specialists in research autism suggest autism is a lifelong disability affecting children detectable from birth or early childhood. While there is no cure for autism, and researchers are unsure of its cause, a variety of therapies and resources are available to help children with autism and their families.

Autism affects more boys than girls with research in the US suggesting 1 in every 150 school aged children being affected.

Research autism also shows – That approximately one-third of children diagnosed with autism spectrumdisorder appear to be developing normally up until the first year or two of their lives.

They then begin to regress in the way that they speak and socialize.

The symptoms of autism present may be:

They prefer to play solitarily

Ignoring or not interested in other children who are playing alongside them

Preferring to categorize object not play with them; for example sorting into color or lining up.

Difficulties with eye contact

Lack of interest in their environment

Although children with autism will be affected in different ways, there is triad of disabilities that will be present.

Difficulties with communication

Difficulties with social interaction

Difficulties with imagination.

Some children with autism will display more of one the symptoms of autism, while others may be affected more strongly by a different symptom.

Although autistic children are affected in different ways, in all cases their capacity to communicate and interact with others is impaired.

Research has shown there isn’t one specific cause of autism spectrum disorder. Research autism has focused on whether chemical imbalances, differences in the brain, genetics, or problems with the immune system have played a significant role in causing autism spectrum disorder.

Children with autism spectrum disorder can be helped with social, communication, imagination and interaction issues by using autism social storiesâ€¦

Research autism has shown autism social stories can be used as effective tools in teaching and re-enforcing important skills to an autistic child.

For example; “Tooth brushing”, “Getting a hair cut”, “Visiting grand parents” and even personal care issues like “menstruation”, “using deodorant” and school related autism social stories like “Recess”, “Making friends” and “Shared reading”.

Autism social stories have been used effectively by parents and educators of children with autism for a variety of situations the autistic child is struggling with.

Implementing autism social stories can have positive effects on the behaviors of children with autism.

The most recent autism informationresearch on what causes autism, shows that an autistic individual has several genes, which may contribute to the disorder. It is also believed several brain regions also show forms of abnormalities.

The latest autism information research into the causes of autism, also reports shows a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and sometimes other factors contribute to autism.

Suggestions into possible autism causes were that neurotransmitters in the brain may not be working normally, or even a faulty immune system could be the cause, or a virus.

Some autism information suggested the autistic individual may have been subjected to an increased level of protein in the mother’s blood during birth as being as one of the autism causes.

Or other suggestions were extreme stress in the mother whilst pregnant may be one of the causes of autismspectrum.

However as yet no reasonably complete answer to the question what causes autism has been found. Research continues into this complex disorder.

Scientists have also been exploring the possibility of genetic imprinting which could help determine the parental donor of the abnormal gene.

The autism spectrum ranges from low functioning autism where an individualmay have little or no speech, severe mental disabilities, maybe seizures, and will use stimming, like hand flapping and rocking.

To high functioning autism or aspergers syndrome, these individuals are less impaired with odd social approaches, narrowly focused interests, social impairments and communication difficulties.

Which ever end of the spectrum you autistic child is on there are common traits with autism spectrum disorder:

Social deficits

Communication deficits

Imagination deficits

All of these issues will be present in autism no matter where on the autism spectrum you child falls.

There are many autism resources available to parent, individuals, educators and guardians of autistic individuals One autism resources…which and probably in our opinion one of the easiest to implement and use are autism social skills stories.

Aspergers is a mild form of Autism, as with Autism it is a lifelong disability.

Aspergers syndrome, affects people in a similar way to Autism, the person has difficulties with three main areas of development:

The persons social imagination

Their communication skills

Plus their social interaction abilities

While there are similarities to Autism, the main difference is that the Aspergers person will have fewer problems with speaking. Plus they will normally have average, or above average intelligence.

Another difference is that they tend not have the associated learning difficulties Autistic people have. But might have other more specific learning disabilities like dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD and epilepsy.

There is no reason why an aspergers person can notlive a normal life.

Characteristics Aspergers Syndrome

As with most conditions the characteristics of asperger syndrome will vary from person to person.

But there is always a common thread running throughÂ all aspergers people.

Difficulties with communication and language

Generally aspergers people will find it hard to keep up with a conversation and will not express themselves correctly.

For example:

They may not understand how to begin a conversation, or end it and will not be able to read body language or facial expressions.

They may use odd language within a conversation and not understand jokes and other flippant remarks or phrases.

They will talk literally, stating the obvious even when itâ€™s probably not cool to do so.

Difficulty with social interactions

An asperger person may miss important social cues, and find relationships hard to maintain.

For example: aspergers people may find it difficult making friends and will sometimes find it even harder to maintain those friendships they do strike up.

Aspergers people may not understand how to behave socially, they may begin inappropriate conversations and not respect personal space

The asperger person may appear withdrawn and uninterested in other people.

Have difficulties with imagination

Although some people with aspergers may show a real flare for certain activities, like painting, music or even things like numbers.

Generally people with aspergers lack social imagination.

As with Autism they will prefer repetition and sameness.

Also people with aspergers prefer routine, even down to lining up their belongings. in a ritualistic fashion.

For more information on aspergers and how to manage behaviors and problems using asperger social skills stories. Plus get all the latest information and research into how aspergers social skills stories can be used effectively for all people with aspergers helping them become more independant visit any of the blow sites and download these valuable asperger resources: www.autismsocialstories.com/asperger_adolescents

The Autism spectrum disordersare also called Pervasive Developmental disorders (PDD). This isbecause they involve delay in many areas of development.

So what is PDD?

Autism is the most severe of the PDDâ€™s

As we have already looked at people with Autism have developmental problems with, thinking, language, behavior and social skills.

To be diagnosed as Autistic, a child will need to have had a certain amount of developmental symptoms in the areas of thinking, language, social interactions and behavior, which is often thought of as stereotypic behaviors.

It means that the person has the same differences in their development as autism, but not to such a great degree.Â

A child with PDD-NOS does not meet the criteria for any specific PDD.Â

No matter where your child falls on the autism spectrum disorder scale they will still have the typical autism symptom: social deficits, communication deficits and imagination and interaction deficits…These can be controlled and managed using something called autism social stories.

For more information on autism social stories and how they will help control and manage autism symptoms and behaviors visit:Â www.autismsocialstories.com

Autism is a developmental disorder which can affect children from either birth or the early months of their lives.

Research into understanding autism – cause and affect…shows delays and deviance from normal development. This will occur in three areas:

1.Social relationships and interactions

2.Language and communication.

3.Activities and interests.

When these three areas of behavior are affected. At more deeper level than that of a normally developing child, the distinctive patterns that are noticed in the symptoms of Autism in a child become apparent.

Some experts now believe that children with the these areas of impairments should be given the diagnosis “autism spectrum disorders”.

Which should then lead on to further and more in depth diagnosis of autism being made.

Which in turn should look at the severity, the cognitive level, plus the clinical traits and associated medical conditions.

The National Autistic Society in the UK suggests a possible rate of almost 1 in 100 people will be diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders.

Although autism is normally present from birth, or very soon after, there can be a delay in autism diagnosis due to the nature of the condition and sometimes the severity.

Diagnosing Autism can be complicated, because of the variations found in the mental ability of children with autism.

Approximately two-thirds of children with autism will have additional learning difficulties, with unusual behavior patterns, which may well be put down to an overall developmental delay. There are methods used for children with autism to help them become more socially aware of their enviroment…these are called autism social stories.

These autism social storiescan be used effectively in the home and classroom to help children with autism understand the world they live in and give them methods and techniques for undertaking, tasks, activities, social situations and events. They provide clear instruction for tasks such as: tooth brushing, using deodrant, getting a haircut and visiting the doctor. As well as instruction on various other topics…

All pictorially rich, as children with autism are visual learners To gain immediate access to these autism social stories and help with understanding autism visit

Autism is normally detected during infancy or very early childhood. Usually there are some concerns about the child’s development, which is normally noticed and recorded within the first year.

These concerns will normally relate to problems the autistic child is having with communication, play, or social responsiveness, and to stimming or repetitive behavior.

Over time, the pattern of an autistic childs development is mainly influenced by the degree of cognitive impairment.

Autism may co-exist with a varying range of measured ability levels; the overall majority of autistic people do have some degree of learning difficulties. With around 50% of Autistic people having IQs of 50 or below.

Certainly it has been found that those who have severe learning difficulties are unlikely to develop any kind of meaningful speech.

Sometimes in autistic children there is also a possibility that they will develop behaviors like self-harming and stimming.

However research shows that sometimes when the abilities of autistic children are considered within the average range, the outcomes of behavior are more unpredictable.

In some cases, there has been an improvement as the autistic child gets older and their ability to cope with; and adapt to, situations becomes much better.

However also within this group of autistic people, some will remain dependent.

But others may achieve virtual independence and be able to maintain successful employment.

In some autistic children however, it is found that sometimes their overall problems will increase with age.

However regardless of the autistic persons abilities there is still something you can do to aid their social and personal development.

Research shows that by using autism social stories as a method for helping autistic people find clear coping strategies they can gain some form of social understanding and gain more independence.

Autism is a brain disorder that is normally diagnosed in early childhood. Kids with autism have difficulties communicating and forming relationships with other people. Autistic people also find it hard to make any sense of the world around them. Often referred to as “Autism Own World”So what are the symptoms of Autism in A Child?

Some kids with autism may appear normal up until the age of 1 -2 years

Lack of the ability to point to objects, to direct others attention to it.

They do not adjust their gaze to look at objects others are pointing to or looking at.

Autistic children respond well to repetition and this is what social stories will give you a gentle reminder of how they are expected to cope and deal with situations, at home, school and out in public.